Epithio compounds

Abstract

Epithio unsaturated aliphatic acids, nitriles, and alcohols and ether, ester and amide derivatives thereof and epoxy unsaturated aliphatic acids, nitriles and alcohols and ether ester and amide derivatives thereof, which are useful in killing and preventing proliferation of insects by upsetting their hormone balance.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for controlling insects comprising applying to materials to be protected a composition containing a compound of the formula ##EQU1##wherein A and B are hydrogen or taken together form a carbon to carbon bond or a sulfur bridge; R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R 1  is selected form the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl and ##SPC1## R 5  is methyl or hydrogen, R 6  is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy or halogen, m is an integer of from 0 to 1; and n is an integer from 0 to 1; and an inert carrier, said compound being present in said composition in an insecticidally effective amount sufficient to provide 0.01 percent to 1.0 percent of said compound on said material to   
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said compound is (10,11-epithio-3,7,11-trimethyl-2-cis/trans,6-cis-dodecadienyl) methyl 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said compound is (α-phenyl-p-tolyl)(10,11-epithio-3,7,11-trimethyl-2-cis/trans, 
     
     
       4. A composition for controlling insects comprising an insecticidally effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR22##wherein A and B are hydrogen or taken together form a carbon to carbon bond or a sulfur bridge: R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R 1  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl and ##SPC2## R 5  is methyl or hydrogen, R 6  is hydrogen, lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy or halogen, m is an integer of from 0 to 1, and n is an   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is (10,11-epithio-3,7,11-trimethyl-2-cis/trans,6-cis-dodecadienyl) methyl 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is (α-phenyl-p-tolyl)(10,11-epithio-3,7,11-trimethyl-2-cis/trans,6-cis-dodecadienyl) ether.